Wednesday, November 12, 2014

One cannot "want" something that he/she
can already do for themselves, such as happiness. Happiness cannot be
completely "wanted" because it is, for the most part, controlled by
the self.

As
an example, take the idea that I “want” to study. If the book I am to read for
class is not in my body’s vicinity then I am able to “want” for studying since
it becomes something “out-of-grasp” for me; however, if that same book is
directly in front of me then it is not a “want” for study because it is a
certainty that I can. All I must do
is open the book and begin. To “want” something that one is certainly able to
do for oneself is a lie to oneself.
If the book I “want” to study is directly in front of me then I am lying to
myself of such “want” because I merely stare at the book.

With
happiness: If one “wants” happiness then they are presenting themselves with at
least a partial lie because happiness is up to the individual. I can make myself happy, I can be happy by my own means. I do not “want”
happiness because I am, for the most part, in control of it.

Tuesday, January 14, 2014

Pick
an experience from your own life and explain how it influenced your
development.

I
had an orientation leader at Butte College who was one of those eccentric folk
you couldn’t possibly forget. Most would characterize his appearance as “hippie”
– long beard, old loose fitting clothes, and he was all about peace and love. Even
if it was just orientation I wouldn’t have forgotten him, but it just so
happened that he was in my first college class too. We spoke often and even had
study groups with up to four other classmates. The inspiring part was how he
talked to people and how he attacked a subject.

This
guy would not give up on something if he couldn’t understand it. In dialogues,
he’s like Socrates but less antagonistic. With subjects/books, he was
relentless; sparking dialogues with others who have dealt with the subject and methodically
reading every word of every page in a book. My favorite part, though, was our
discussions. It was never a mere “what do you believe” and just agreeing or
nodding his head to confirm he heard me; rather, he asked questions and drew
comparisons. “Why do you believe that?” “Your belief is similar to this.” And
it was incredible.

He
was and is my mentor. It was because of him that my interest in education
(obtaining knowledge) has skyrocketed, that I don’t just acknowledge I hear
people but that I care about what they have to say and wish to fully understand
them. He influenced me to love more than I ever had and to share it with
everyone. It isn’t any particular experience but the experience of being around
him that influenced me.

Describe
your most meaningful achievements (drawing from recent work, leadership and
volunteer experiences) and how they relate to your field of study and future
goals.

I’ve
always wanted to build things with my hands; from scratch with no instructions
or pre-made materials. My dad, who was in construction for twentyseven years,
had this influence on me. He often took me to the work sight and I loved
watching how a lot of land went from dirt to a completed building – the flattening
of the ground, the laying of the foundation, the putting up of the outline,
then the walls and the roof, and finally finishing touches.

This
last summer, for the first time I was able to really build something of my own;
a cabinet. It has four drawers on the lower half, and three shelves for books
on the upper half. I used the wood from another over-sized cabinet we had, and
cut it to the size I wanted. Most of what I did to build it were things I have
never done before, and so it was a completely new experience for me. I learned
how important exact measurements are, knowing how much material you have, and
the time, focus, and dedication it takes to finish it nicely.

I
am also a track and field coach for a high school. It’s one of the most meaningful
if not the most meaningful things I have done in my life thus far. I come out
every day trying to influence the student-athletes to better themselves. For
the most part, they think we, the coaches, are only concerned with their times
or marks or winning meets and championships. Personally, I’m there for them and
them only – to see them grow, to achieve, to be the best that they can be, and
to transfer the right mentality over into the “real” life as well. Ultimately,
it’s about their happiness and making their dreams become reality.

About Me

"My revolt, my freedom, my passion." ~Albert Camus...
Always thinking and searching for unity and order, though knowing
neither is possible. Life with no social constraints. No concern for the
future or the past; rather, living fully in the present.